The Swing Shift Shuffle is a radio program of swing, big band, jazz, boogie woogie and other popular music from the 1930's and 40's that airs every Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (US Central Time) on WEVL 89.9 FM in Memphis, Tennessee, with a live webcast at wevl.org. In addition to the radio show, this blog is dedicated to all aspects of the Swing Era, including art, automobiles, cartoons, comics, history, movies, music, news, science, technology, and anything else that happened during that time. It also includes announcements about events in the Memphis/Mid-South area related to the Swing Era, such as classic movies, concerts, dances, lectures, etc. If you see something that fits the description, send it to me at tim@wevl.org. If you would like more information about the radio show, just go to the Radio Show FAQ page.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Ray Noe - Memphis Entrepeneur

Memphis' own Vance Lauderdale posted not one, but two items about Mr. Ray Noe, Memphis Entrepreneur on Ask Vance.  It appears Mr. Noe developed a "Graduated Exerciser" consisting of a strip of rubber with handles on each end, and a successful mail order business began.  Apparently, the feds charged him with fraud in the early 1940s due to some of the more "optimistic" claims in his advertisements.  Despite the charge, the government just confiscated some of his product, removed the labelling, and donated it to a charitable organization.  Other than this brief interruption, Mr. Noe continued to make and sell these devices until his death in the 1970s, living on North Auburndale all the while.  Interestingly, many similar devices are still available today.

No comments: